Star studded line up includes Spice Girl Melanie C, ex Atomic Kitten Natasha Hamilton plus more!
The life of murdered Liverpool schoolboy Rhys Jones is to be remembered with a special charity gala concert at the Echo Arena, Liverpool on Friday 15 August. Stars of sound, stage and screen are already signing up for the big date in August, when the arena will host the Liverpool Unites: Concert for Rhys, and more big names are to be announced soon.
The concert was the idea of two friends of Rhys's mother Melanie Jones. Kate Mayers and Sarah Doughty were both devastated when the Everton fan was killed walking home from football practice last August 22. They wanted to do something to remember him and approached the Liverpool Echo, who recruited the aid of city promoter Lyn Staunton of Power Promotions, and the concert was born. Ms Staunton is busy lining up star acts for the variety show-style performance.
Already confirmed for the star-studded bill are former Spice Girl turned solo artist Melanie C and ex-Atomic Kitten Natasha Hamilton. Acts such as X-Factor's Eton Road and Soapstar Superstar's Richard Fleesman will also grace the huge stage in the Echo Arena alongside Jimmy Tarbuck and Sue Jenkins to make the event one for all the family. More big acts from across the country, whose names are being kept a secret for now, are set to come onboard in the coming weeks and months up to August 15, the night of the show.
Kate, Sarah and Melanie all want local youngsters to be a big part of the event, so dance and community groups from Liverpool will get the chance to live out a dream and perform to the 10,000-plus capacity arena. If you are a top act willing to join the bill contact Lyn at Power Promotions on 0151 230 0070.
Money raised from the concert will go to the Liverpool Echo's Liverpool Unites campaign and the Rhys Jones memorial fund. The fund hopes to raise enough to build a community centre in honour of the 11-year-old on the Croxteth Park estate where he grew up.
Mrs Jones said: "We are really thrilled and excited about the concert, and we know it will be an amazing night. We hope lots of money will be raised to go towards building a community centre in Rhys's name."
Mother-of-two Kate Mayers said: "It is about Liverpool coming together in one place and standing up against gun crime, but it is also about celebrating Rhys's life. Rhys was a Liverpool lad, but this is about letting the whole country join with us and letting everyone stand together in the arena, and saying gun crime is not going to be tolerated."
Sarah Doughty said: "We hope to raise a lot of money to build this community centre because there is an urgent need for it, so the next generation doesn't go the way this one has. But it needs to be remembered that not all kids are bad and this is a chance to show it. It will be a great celebration of Rhys's life."
Melanie C said: "I am delighted and honoured to support such a fantastic cause by performing at the Liverpool Unites : Concert for Rhys. We aim to ensure that Rhys Jones's name will live on, and other children have the opportunity to benefit from a wonderful community centre where they can play in a safe environment."
Jimmy Tarbuck said: "I will move hell and high water to be at the Echo Arena. This is an issue very close to my heart and I cannot wait to be there on the night. It is going to be a very special event."
Former Brookside actress Sue Jenkins said: "Rhys Jones and the bravery and courage of his family will never be forgotten. If funds can be raised to build a centre for kids in Liverpool, it will help to give many young people a focus and a purpose. Guns must be cleared from our streets for good so that people of every age can feel safe to leave their homes and live normal lives."
Tim Banfield, General Manager of the Echo Arena said: "It is an honour to host the Liverpool Unites: Concert For Rhys at the Echo Arena. This is going to be a very special concert to celebrate the life of Rhys and to also raise money to build a community centre in Rhys's name. It is going to be an amazing night which we hope will raise lots of money".
Tickets go on sale Wednesday 23rd April @ 9am from the Echo Arena on 0844 8000 400 or online at www.accliverpool.com
Tickets are priced at £20 / £15 subject to a booking / handling fee
